Free Flighting A Budgie ?

[Birdlover11]

Since its almost spring and near summer, there has been some nice weather conditions here on Long island. I would take my two budgies out in thier cage outside. I thought about harness training Pepsi ? I read about this, and how some budgies hate it, loved it, it worked out well, really badly. I keep seeing pics of people with their budgies out, and I get all jelly . I thought about buying a avian flight suit from avian fashions to start training him. Would it be too much stress on his little body ? I feel I should make his life as free as it can be, I want him to actually experience the outdoors without wires concealing him. Maybe after harness training free flight ?

 

[ruffledfeathers]

Someone else could better answer about the harness on a budgie. My Percy wouldn't put up with things like that. He went out in his cage, and flew all around the house but never tried the harness, free flight outside.
Does your bird fly in the house?

 

[Birdlover11]

Not that much. I just thought about me and him just sitting outside, watching the clouds go by. I think I could get him into a harness. He is awfully laid back for an American budgie

 

[Featheredsamurai]

First off, free flight is flying a bird without any constraints. What your asking about is harness flying. I've seen people with budgies in a aviator, they seem to work really well. Like all birds you just need to be careful.

 

[Birdlover11]

I am just worried about this cat that roams the neighborhood . Really, I want to free flight him. But to get him to get free flighted I have to get him harnessed.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I am just worried about this cat that roams the neighborhood . Really, I want to free flight him. But to get him to get free flighted I have to get him harnessed.

Free flying, and even harness flying, should be done in a large field for safety purposes. This way you can see hawks, cats, dogs, and hopefully falcons.

The biggest threat to your budgie would be sharp shinned hawks and maybe coopers hawks, and the small falcons like the American kestrel. A cat, dog, or other land animal would have a hard time sneaking up on you in a field.

 

[khaiqha]

Free flying a bird is an incredibly risky endeavor. Just because a bird recalls perfectly indoors doesn't mean it can outside. I doubt your bird has ever flown in the face of wind, a simple gust is enough to send an unprepared bird way beyond your reach.

Having said all this, I did free fly one of my budgies as a child without any bad incidents. This was still very, very stupid and I would never do it again now that I know better. If you're intent on free flying, get trained by a professional.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

Percy was free flighted......in the house. his recall was awesome....in the house. but i was never gutsy enough to try it outside without his cage. i think i would have just died crying if anything happened to him. i was probably more bonded to him than any pet i had ever known and i couldn't take any chances with him.
that being said, he LOVED flying free in the house, which he did any time i was home and stayed caged when i went to work or bed only.

 

[Birdlover11]

We have crows where we live , are they dangerous ?